NAFDAC warns public over circulation of counterfeit Augmentin 625mg Tablets in Nigeria

Crime Diary, Health

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert on the circulation of counterfeit Augmentin 625mg Tablets (2 x 7 tablets pack) bearing Batch No. AC3N, following reports from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the authorised manufacturer of the genuine product.

According to NAFDAC, the alert was triggered after GSK received multiple complaints and confirmed that the suspected product was falsified. The counterfeit tablets, though carrying the same batch number as authentic stock previously supplied to Nigeria, displayed inconsistent manufacturing and expiry dates—marked as September 2025 / September 2028—which do not align with GSK’s production records. The genuine Batch AC3N was manufactured at GSK’s Worthing facility in the United Kingdom on 23 August 2023 and packed between 19–20 September 2023.

Investigations revealed packaging discrepancies, including textual errors and poor fin seal quality, confirming the falsified nature of the product. NAFDAC warned that counterfeit Augmentin may contain incorrect or harmful ingredients, posing serious health risks such as treatment failure, worsening infections, antimicrobial resistance, and adverse reactions.

The agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop-up operations to remove the counterfeit product from circulation. Healthcare providers, importers, distributors, and consumers are urged to verify authenticity before purchase and report any suspicious products.

Consumers currently using Augmentin 625mg Tablets suspected to be counterfeit should stop immediately and seek medical advice. Healthcare professionals are advised to quarantine and discontinue sale of any suspect stock and report cases to NAFDAC via 0800-162-3322 or sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only safe, effective, and quality medicines are available in Nigeria, in line with its mandate to protect public health.